Zn(tbip) (H2tbip= 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid): a highly stable guest-free microporous metal organic framework with unique gas separation capability.

A novel guest-free metal organic framework (GFMMOF) is synthesized and structurally characterized. It contains one-dimensional close-packed open channels with a pore diameter of 4.5 A. It demonstrates a remarkable thermal stability, a unique ability to separate methanol from dimethyl ether or water, and is among the microporous MOFs having the highest adsorbed hydrogen density (0.054 g/cm3 at 77 K and 1 atm).